Dear Church – 

On a recent Sunday, as I shook hands with folks exiting the church building, someone asked me what had happened to the American flag that had long stood on the platform.  Good call.  One of the only changes I’ve made since arriving at Somers Baptist Church 14 months ago was to take down the flag.  Actually flags – the Christian flag also no longer appears.  Here I wanted to offer an explanation for putting away the American flag.  

Patriotic Bona Fides

I’ll begin by setting forth my patriotic bona fides.  I, Colin Landry, love America.  I love it more than any other nation.  If the situation ever called for it, I hope I’d be willing to lay down my life for America.  My dad served in the Navy.  One of my sons serves in the Army.  A nephew is a Marine.   A couple of times over the years I’ve attempted to serve as a part-time chaplain in the armed forces (my screwed-up shoulders have prevented that).   

Though I don’t have to, I enjoy learning about American history and might have a slightly better than average knowledge of the same.  Also – and this is big time and controversial – I believe that it is wise for one to be a patriot and that something’s off when one isn’t.  I wrote (not very well) about that here.  I look for reasons to admire America and grieve when she’s seen to be at fault.  I hope that God will preserve America, will keep her intact, all 50 states united.  

Straying further into controversy: I believe that America is exceptional, both in her founding and her subsequent history.  That in large her founders were motivated by the glory of God and guided by Christian ideas.  That the America constitution is the greatest that’s ever been written in the history of nations (OK, second to Sinai’s!) and evinces a deep biblical wisdom.  My hot take is that America has been an instrument for a lot of good for a long time.  

I’m proud to be associated with the land of Route 66, Harley Davidson, the “Christ-haunted” South, New England, the big sky country, the stolid Midwest, Normal Rockwell, Jimmy Stewart, Abraham Lincoln, Walt Disney, D.L. Moody, New York City, Betsy Ross, Thomas Sowell, Mark Twain, Miles Davis, Peyton Manning (canigetanamen?) the Mississippi River, apple pie (claiming that for the USA!), small town parades, Tom Hanks, the NFL, Annie Oakley, James Michener, Cheyenne’s Frontier Days…I could go on for hours listing what I love about the USA.  I even love California.  I try to like country music.

However

So… where’s the flag, Landry?  

I believe that any national consciousness and symbolism – in our setting we’ll call that Americana – should be kept out of the gathered church.  That’s because God intended the church to be a supranational organization.  The church – this assembly of the new humanity – is never intrinsically linked to any country – its past, its culture, its aspirations, its ideals.  What unites the church is her Lord.  Colossians 3:11 – Here [in this new humanity] there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free, but Christ is all, and in all.  

Tonia is a German citizen, and of course Germany has its own history and culture and land.  As she gathers with the Church there should not be even a hint of suggestion that she’s being summoned to somehow respond to America – to embrace it or to be grateful for it or (recoiling from the symbolism) to disavow it.  She and any foreigner – and any national for that matter – are gathered together in the name of Jesus, full stop.  

Yes, when the church is gathered it is not under the aegis or auspice of any political entity.  It gathers in the name of Jesus, the Christ who is the King of kings.  When the church gathers it is not (at least explicitly) to further the ends of any nation, but rather to learn to observe everything that the King of kings commands (Matthew 28: 19,20).  So, to further His ends, to build His kingdom.  Then why should any national flag be flying in that gathering space?  Moreover, why among the gathered church would we mark the Fourth of July or Memorial Day?  Why in that setting would we endorse or condemn a political party?      

My interlocutor at the church door pointed out that the church is in America and just for that reason flying the US flag is appropriate.  Well, it’s true the church is on American soil, but it’s true in the same way as with embassies and consulates.  They are situated in foreign cities, but they technically, legally do not belong to those host countries, but rather are the possession of the represented country.  And so it goes: the church’s citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ… Philippians 3: 20.  We are outposts of the eternal Kingdom in foreign soil.    

The church of Jesus Christ is a miracle, which means it should regularly surprise.  Visit a church in Israel today and I’d bet it be surprising: How is it possible for Jews and Palestinians to gather together in peace and mutual edification?  Turks and Armenians?  Germans and pretty much any other people group?  Because of the authority and majesty and love and charisma of Jesus Christ their Lord.  Chiefly the authority.  They fear Him and love Him and thus they’ve decided…submitted to… loving each other.  Here’s my point: National symbols would only confuse this reality and resolve and make it harder to maintain.  

Important Yet Undeveloped Point

In concluding, please notice a key point: in all that I’ve said I’m discussing the gathered church.  The church does more than gather!  And as members are apart from each other they pursue other ends, which could (and should) include the national and political.  But that’s another letter…    

Yours Sincerely,

Colin